Iran Halts Retaliatory Strikes as West Asia Fighting Lulls
Iran announced on Sunday (July 26, 2026) that it is halting its retaliatory military operations, following a weekend lull in fighting across West Asia. The decision comes after the United States ended a 13-day campaign of strikes, marking a potential de-escalation in the region.
Iranian army spokesman Mohammad Akraminia stated, “Since our strategy has essentially been retaliatory, we have also halted our retaliatory operations.” The announcement was reported by state media.
While the pause in hostilities offers a reprieve, underlying tensions remain, particularly concerning the strategic Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s Tasnim news agency, affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, claimed on Sunday that a tanker hit a mine while transiting the strait through a route not approved by Iran. A similar claim was made on July 23. However, maritime threat assessment bodies such as the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations have not confirmed these incidents, though they have warned of heightened mine risks in the area.
After the war began, Iran stated it had laid mines along the central part of the strait, which is traditionally used for commercial shipping, and designated a safe route along its coast. Iran also reported progress in talks with Oman, which holds the opposite coast of the strait, on “common principles and operational mechanisms” for ship passage. In June, the two countries proposed joint administration and monetisation of the strait, but the United States rejected any Iranian control. Oman had previously announced a route along its coast endorsed by the International Maritime Organization, drawing Iran’s ire.
In Washington, U.S. media reports indicate that plans to escalate the war have been shelved, partly due to dwindling arms supplies. However, President Donald Trump said on Friday, “Iran has a choice between a deal and strikes at a much higher level. We’re talking to them right now. I think they’re getting more and more serious.”
The conflict, initially sparked by disagreements over the Strait of Hormuz and attacks on ships, later expanded to strikes on U.S. bases and allies in the Persian Gulf. Meanwhile, fighting between the Iran-backed Houthi militia and Saudi Arabia continued. The Houthis claimed to have downed a Saudi drone and to have attacked Saudi oil facilities, and they announced a blockade of Saudi tankers loading at Yanbu from crossing the Bab al-Mandab Strait on the Red Sea.
